My name is Mrs. D. and I am an author of children's books. Currently, I’m juggling many projects including several new books. I love to write. I love this beautiful language. I write because I have something to share. I write because maybe someday, someone in this world may need my experience. I write for one simple reason. I love how it makes me feel: free.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Pinterest– isn’t that a website for travel planners, lovers of delectables, and vintage-clothing aficionados? Well, yes; but many authors are finding creative ways to promote their books using the social scrapbooking site too.

10.4 million people currently use Pinterest, and that figure is climbing fast; some data shows that Pinterest is the fastest growing standalone website ever.

What exactly is Pinterest?

Pinterest is a combination of a digital pin-up board and a scrapbook. It’s a bit like Twitter, only for pictures and videos instead of 140-character tweets. From your Pinterest page you can create different boards for different interests– one for book covers, one for photos of characters in your book, one for pictures of you and your readers, one for photos of your writing desk, etc. Plus, other people can pin things to your page (if you allow them to become “contributors” to a particular board), which encourages more sharing and interaction.

How authors can use Pinterest as a promotional tool

Well, if you’ve spent much time on social networks, you know that shouting “Buy my book!” every couple days is a sure way to annoy your followers. You have to be more subtle, more sideways, more creative. Pinterest is a great way to enhance your author “brand,” build your platform, and create compelling content that supports your book promotion efforts. And since Pinterest users can create unlimited “boards” for each new interest or topic, you’ve got options.

Here are a few ideas:

1) Create a Pinterest board for the main characters or settings in your book. Ask your fans to add photos they think help make those people and places feel real. What does the mysterious hero look like? What about pictures of that icy field where the murder took place? (Note: you’ll have to add these fans individually as “contributors” to that particular board before they can pin their own content to it).

3) Get aspirational. Where do you want to travel on your book-tour? Where would you love to spend a week writing? Show us the photos! One great example of this is author Priscilla Warner’s Pinterest page. She has a board called “My Dream Writing Studios.” Amazing photos.

4) Ask for inspiration. You can create boards to bring your previously created characters into 2D. But the process can flow the opposite direction, too. What about asking your readers for help when you’re just developing a new story? Are you searching for the right details about pistols to put into your Western? Ask for some photos of old guns.

5) Promote your friends and heroes. Social media followers are turned off by constant self-promotion, but pimping books by other folks can go a long way. You’re giving solid recommendations to your fans, and the writers you promote will be thankful.

Some basic rules for using Pinterest

Again, if you’ve been using Facebook or Twitter for a while, the same general guidelines apply to Pinterest.

1. Stay engaged in the conversation. Don’t just post your own content and call it good. You need to re-pin, like, and comment on other people’s Pinterest content. Follow the Pinterest boards of writers you admire.

2. Put the “P” symbol on your site or blog so your readers will know they can also follow you on Pinterest.

3. Make sure the names of your boards have catchy titles.

4. Large photos are best. Pinterst is all about the visual. Pick great pics.

I hope this intro is helpful for anyone just getting started on Pinterest.

To be effective in today’s noisy world, you can’t be lazy when it comes to marketing and selling your books. You have to stretch your thinking and your methods. You must break old paradigms and shatter trusted formulas.

You must become a book marketing ninja!

Here are three ways to do that:

1) Reconsider all of your marketing tactics. One of the biggest promotional mistakes you can make is doing something just because that’s the way it’s always been done before. Just because everyone else pursues book reviews, bookstore distribution, library sales, and media exposure in a certain way (or even Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn), that doesn’t mean you have to.

Your marketing decisions should be based on what’s best for your particular situation, genre, target fan base, etc. Don’t mindlessly follow the flock. Be different. Think creatively. Get focused on how you can most effectively reach new readers and fans — regardless of how the established authors or “experts” (including me) say it needs to be done.

2) Think in terms of opposites. Make a list of all the specific things that major book publishers and mainstream authors do to promote their books. Then imagine what would happen if you did the exact opposite.

What if you never did public appearances or book signings? Or made your books available only on USB drives? What if you were mysterious and never displayed your photo and never did interviews? Or … what if you did book readings live only on tennis courts, city buses or roller coasters? In short, what could you do to radically set yourself apart?

3) Redefine your small-scale, independent status. One of the reasons independently published authors feel they need to “act” like they are traditionally published is because of an inferiority complex. Without a publisher’s or a literary agent’s official backing, indie authors often feel they’re imposters and aren’t worthy of pursuing their dreams.

Guess what? That’s nonsense!

Embrace your independence! Don’t hide it. Flaunt it! As an indie, you have the unique ability to communicate on a far more personal level with your fans. You get to call the shots and control your destiny. You have freedom. Celebrate it!

Thanks to the Kindle Boards, we discovered a long list of places where self-published authors can promote their eBook for free.

We’ve collected more information about the sites in a simple directory below, linking to the submission pages for these eBook sites. If you are an avid eBook reader, these sites are great for finding new books to read as well….

Free Sites for eBook Promotion

Addicted to eBooks: “This website is perfect for readers like me, who want to watch their book budget. This website also allows the author to rate some of the content of their book. I want to know before I buy if a book the level of profanity, violence or sex in a book. I’m excited that authors can now rate their books for the readers.”

Author Marketing Club: “No longer do you have to dig up your links to the best places to submit your books. We’ve put them all together here for you in one spot. Just click on the logos below to load each site’s form, fill in your details, and you’re done.”

Bargain eBook Hunter: “If your title is currently FREE on Amazon, we want to know about it! Simply use the Contact Form to let us know about your free title and we will consider listing it on our site. There is NO COST to you if you contact us and we choose to post your free book. We accept all genres except erotica.”

Books on The Knob: “Bargain reads, free ebooks and book reviews for the Amazon Kindle, nook, Kobo, Sony and other ereaders, Kindle Fire, nookColor, Kobo Vox, and other tablets, along with some games, music, technology and computers tossed in now and then.”

The Cheap: “This website was created in an attempt to let other Barnes and Noble NOOK users know that there really are plenty of deal priced books for NOOK readers. Here at the Cheap we, a group of deal scouting women, inform you of free and low-cost books. These change frequently so please be sure to check in often. We do our best to share only legitimate offers.”

Flurries of Words: “we have both FREE and PAID advertising options (apologies but we do notaccept porn or erotica books). There are currently five FREE advertising options available: 1) Free Book Find (for permanently or temporarily free books) 2) 99 Cent Book (for permanently or temporarily 99 cent books) 3) Bargain Deal (for books over $0.99 but under $4.99–either permanently or temporarily) 4) Indie New Releases (for books newly released within the past 30 days) … 5) BOOK OF THE DAY”

FreeBooksy: If you find an ebook you think our Freebooksy readers should know about please let us know in the form below. And if you are an author and you want to tell the world about your free ebook fill out the form in the Authors section and we’ll take a look at your book.

Frugal Reader: “Please use the form below to submit your FREE books to be considered for a featured FREEBIE post. Submitting your novel does not guarantee that your book will be featured. Please allow as much lead time as possible as I know these are limited time offers. Please note that I feature most genres, and while I may feature romance titles that include sexual scenes, I don’t feature titles that strictly fall under the erotica genre.”

Kindle Daily Deal: “Let’s get the word out about your wonderful books on Kindle to my13,000+ followers. I am a fellow author and I’d love to help promote your books. I enjoy reading as much as writing, and feel it’s important to support my friends. Currently, this service is FREE to you, but in return for adding your book(s), I’m hoping you reciprocate by buying my latest book containing funny essays about relationships…”

Free Kindle Books & Tips: “If you are an author and would like to have your book promoted (for free) on our site, please fill out the form below: your book must be free in the Amazon Kindle Store and must have an average user rating of at least 4 out of 5 stars for consideration. Please note each book submitted cannot be promoted due to space limitations on a particular day, but if your book is selected we will contact you at the email address you provide below.”

Free eBooks Daily: “I love to hear from authors and readers! If you have a comment, suggestion, or free ebook you would like listed or if you just want to say hello, feel free to send me an email.”

GalleyCat Facebook Page: You can post your book in our New Books section, an easy way to share your book with our readers.

Indie Books List: “If you submit an excerpt with less than 1,500 words, we will delete it. Due to the high number of submissions we receive, we may not have time to email every person who submits a shorter excerpt to ask for another one. Please – look at your word count before uploading. If you would like to be considered for both Indie Books List, and Only Romance…you must submit using each site’s submission form. There are now two separate submission forms, when there used to be just one.”

Pixel of Ink: “If your book will be listed as Free ($0.00) on Amazon.com in the next 30 days, then please let us know by filling out the form below. Pixel of Ink may attempt to feature your book on the day it is free, time and space permitting.

Promote your latest book with a book trailer

People love short videos. They’re easier to watch and easier to share, and that makes them easy to talk about. One of the most fun, creative, and effective ways you can promote your new book on blogs and social media is by shooting (and then sharing) a book trailer– a video advertisement for your book similar to a film or TV trailer.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re developing your book trailer ideas.

1. It’s gotta be good!

There are a lot of crappy book trailers out there. And to the big, bad, scary world of publishers, editors, critics, and agents, a crappy book trailer looks worse than NO book trailer at all. So if you’re going to do it, it’s worth doing right. The better your video, the more likely fans will share it, bloggers will post it, and critics will take notice.

That being said, quality and budget are not always directly proportional. It’s quite possible to shoot a great trailer yourself with consumer-grade gear and a little old fashioned elbow grease. Likewise, you can hire the world’s most talented production team with all the fancy new professional cameras, but if they’re not invested in the project and jiving with your vibe, you could be left with a lifeless video and a dwindled bank account. Granted, if you hire pros, you’re PROBABLY going to get a better-looking product, but it’s worth mentioning here that it’s not a guarantee of quality.

So, the moral of the story is– no matter what approach you take, put enough time, money, and enthusiasm into this project to make it worth the effort. If you do, you’ll capture the imaginations of more readers and you’ll sell more books!

2. Make it brief!

Remember that a book trailer is not a documentary. It’s not an electronic press kit. It’s not a resume. It’s not a summary. It’s not a thesis. It’s a teaser, plain and simple– and should be no longer than 60 seconds, though 30 seconds is preferable.

Do you remember the movie teaser for the film Independence Day? A steady shot of the White House on a peaceful night. Then an alien ship descends from above, hovering for a moment ominously. Then some giant death-ray beams into the White House and blows it all to smithereens. Independence Day. Coming to theaters July 4th.

Short, quick. Awesome. In fact, about a billion times more awesome than the actual movie– which, for this viewer, was a sad disappointment. (So I guess the moral there is… make sure your book is awesome too!)

Also, think about those movie trailers that give away so much of the plot, the jokes, the surprises, and the drama that you end up saying to yourself, “Well, no need to see that one now!”

Your trailer doesn’t need to tell the whole story, just amplify the most compelling part.

3. Thrill ‘em in the first 10 seconds!

There’s a saying in the music world, “Don’t bore us; get to the chorus!” Remember, in the world of viral videos the first few seconds matter– especially when so many people are sneaking YouTube or Facebook time at work and can’t be caught watching some epic on the clock.

Whether your approach is animation, reenactment, interviews, graphics, or… whatever else, say something big and say it first. Then fill in a few more details. Then fade to black before the viewer loses interest.

4. Enlist outside opinions!

At every step of the way, you should run your ideas by someone you trust (especially if you’re developing, directing, and shooting your own book trailer DIY-style). Ask them, “Would this idea grab your attention as a viewer or reader?” “Does this sequence, script, and approach support the initial concept?” “Does it look good?” “Does it work?”

You don’t want to consult with a yes-man; you want someone who’ll give it to you straight. If something isn’t working, fix it now before you get any further in the project.

5. Flash your name and title in lights, and fast!

Some folks might disagree with this point. Maybe I’ve just grown skeptical and have no faith in our species’ attention span. But I think it’s worth displaying the author and book title somewhere towards the beginning (or at least by the 15 or 20 second mark of your trailer).

Sure, there’s a certain suspense we’ve come to expect from trailers where the title appears at the end– but it’s become cliché. Besides, everyone that clicks the play button will see the beginning of your trailer. Not everyone will see the ending. Better to get your name and book title into the viewer’s consciousness early-on, just in case the boss steps into their office and almost catches them on Facebook.

Well, those are 5 tips to consider when creating a book trailer. Obviously, they’re meant as more conceptual guidelines. If you need help with the technical aspects of film and video, I would recommend hiring a professional videographer and editor to help you see your book trailer project to the end.

Sometime soon we’ll discuss ways to promote your book using that trailer. For inspiration, check out the trailer below or click HERE for 4 more great examples.

You’ve hustled and set up a book signing, reading, speaking opportunity, or tour. You’ve worked on your delivery, your timing, your tone. And during the event– you nailed it! Congratulations. The hard part is over.

But how do you make sure that the energy you’ve put into your booking, your preparation, and your “performance” comes back to you?

7 Ways to Make Lasting Connections After Your Book Reading

1) Cover the basics-

If your audience has responded to your reading, they’ll want to take a piece of you home with them– in the form of your book.

Make sure you have ample books available and that you’ve arranged the details of selling them in advance (oftentimes, you’ll be required by the venue to work with a local bookseller). Be sure to announce at the end of your reading that you have books available for sale and you’re happy to sign them.

2) Discount your books-

If it is possible to work with the bookseller on this matter (or to handle it yourself), take a few dollars off the price of your book. People love to think they’re getting a bargain, and the in-person savings might be just the thing to make someone in the audience say, “Ah, why not? I’m already here. The author is here. They’ll sign the book. Sure!”

3) Have a helper-

Books should be on the table well before your reading begins and there should be someone present at the table before, during, and after your reading to help you sell.

When you’re at the table after your reading, divide your responsibilities. Have the helper handle the actual sales, the swiping of credit cards, giving out change, etc. That gives you the space to personally engage with your new fans.

4) Give each reader your undivided attention-

While your helper is selling a book to one person, you should be giving your full attention to the next. Don’t look around the room. Don’t hurry them along (unless they’re starting to hold up the line for more than a minute or so). Make them feel special, appreciated, and essential to your own success. Make a point of asking the person’s name, shaking hands– if that feels appropriate, and engaging in a 2-way conversation. In short, be a generous human being. Granted, time is limited– but if you’re gracious and inquisitive, you can make that reader’s week!

5) Don’t sign books ahead of time-

Some authors have their books signed in advance. Then they either personalize them with the readers’ names or simply sell them with only signatures. While that may save some time and hand-cramping, it seems impersonal, mechanized, transactional. The full sweep of your interaction with the reader is important, from the “hello” to the quick cursive scribble you call your autograph, to the smile you flash as they say goodbye.

6) Collect email addresses-

There’s no better time to ask for an email contact than when that person is right in front of you showing their appreciation by purchasing a signed book.

At some point in your exchange, be sure to mention some new project that you’re working on– and ask them if they’d like to be kept informed on your upcoming writings, appearances, etc. They’re already buttered up; most of them will say “sure.”

Then send out an email the following day thanking them for attending, mentioning one or two memorable moments from that particular reading, and asking them to recommend your book to their friends (in the real world and the virtual). Maybe you can even offer to do a Skype appearance if any of them discuss your work in book clubs.

7) Don’t be in a rush-

Many busy authors will fly or drive in for an appearance, then rush out to their next reading, lecture, workshop, interview, or lunch. It’s fine to be busy; in fact, if you’re making a trip, you might as well take advantage of as many opportunities as you can. BUT… not at the expense of the most important people: your fans who are right in front of you purchasing your work and taking time out of THEIR equally busy lives to show you their support.

Give yourself at least an hour (preferably more) after your reading to personally thank everyone who buys your book. If only 3 people come up to buy a book, start a conversation with all of them– and hang out for as much of that hour as they’d like to chat. You never know what good might come of forging connections like that.

———

Lastly, I think it’s important to mention the matter of nerves and ego. When both are involved (you– being, perhaps, nervous AND the star of the show), and the fan (being nervous to meet someone they admire), even the most mundane exchange can seem a bit forced or awkward. Push through it. They’ll appreciate you making them feel more at ease.

And if you’re one of those sensitive artists who tends to feel like people expect too much of you in social settings– remember, the people lined up to have you sign their book copy aren’t your stalkers; they’re the reason you wrote, the reason you write, and the reason you’ll keep writing.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Hauntingly beautiful!

The Underwater Art Museum in Isla Mujeres National Marine Park near Cancun, Mexico is home to Jason de Caires Taylor’s. His work covers an area of over 1,000,000 square miles and is completely filled with water. A graduate of Camberwell College of Arts, London and qualified diving instructor, Taylor has found a unique way to combine his artwork, his passion for the environment, and his love of diving—by creating the world’s first underwater sculpture garden.

Taylor’s incredible sculpture garden is located off the coast of the Caribbean Island of Granada. The garden, which was commissioned by Granada, consists of 65 individual sculptures placed throughout Molinere Bay. Most of the sculptures are assembled on land using a variety of materials, including wire, steel, recycled glass, and found objects. They are then anchored to the ocean floor at a depth of between 30 and 50 feet. Since its completion in 2006, the garden has become a popular tourist attraction for the island. The crystal-clear water in the Bay makes the works easily viewable to scuba divers and snorkelers alike.

Taylor’s work isn’t just for humans, however. The bulk of his sculptures are constructed using a special marine cement that encourages coral growth. As a result, the sculptures are slowly transforming into coral reefs that are inhabited by fish and other marine life. As his sculptures are absorbed into and changed by the natural world, Taylor’s work sends a powerful message about the power of nature and the impermanence of art.

Jason deCaires Taylor is the creative mastermind behind these gentle, silent statues made of a porous materials to encourage reef life to grow on and around them. Besides Mexico, you’ll also find some of deCaires Taylor’s figures in the West Indies and the UK.

In May 2006 he gained international recognition for creating the world’s first underwater sculpture park in Grenada, West Indies. His underwater sculptures, designed to create artificial reefs for marine life to colonise and inhabit, embrace the transformations wrought by ecological processes. The works engage with a vision of the possibilities of a sustainable future, portraying human intervention as positive and affirmative. Drawing on the tradition of figurative imagery, the aim of Jason deCaires Taylor’s work is to address a wide-ranging audience crucial for highlighting environmental issues beyond the confines of the art world. However, fundamental to understanding his work is that it embodies the hope and optimism of a regenerative, transformative Nature.

Jason deCaires Taylor’s underwater sculptures create a unique, absorbing and expansive visual seascape. Highlighting natural ecological processes Taylor’s interventions explore the intricate relationships that exist between art and environment. His works become artificial reefs, attracting marine life, while offering the viewer privileged temporal encounters, as the shifting sand of the ocean floor, and the works change from moment to moment.

The experience of being underwater is vastly different from that of being on land. There are physical and optical considerations that must be taken into account. Objects appear twenty five percent larger underwater, and as a consequence they also appear closer. Colours alter as light is absorbed and reflected at different rates, with the depth of the water affecting this further. The light source in water is from the surface, this produces kaleidoscopic effects governed by water movement, currents and turbulence. Water is a malleable medium in which to travel enabling the viewer to become active in their engagement with the work. The large number of angles and perspectives from which the sculptures can be viewed increase dramatically the unique experience of encountering the works.

Vicissitudes depicts a circle of figures, all linked through holding hands. These are life-size casts taken from a group of children of diverse ethnic background. Circular in structure and located five meters below the surface, the work both withstands strong currents and replicates one of the primary geometric shapes, evoking ideas of unity and continuum.

The underwater environment is much like that of the outdoors. An object is subject to changes in light and prevailing weather conditions. The cement finish and chemical composition of Vicissitudes actively promotes the colonization of coral and marine life.

The figures are transformed over time by their environment, and conversely as this happens so they change the shape of their habitat. This natural process echoes the changes exacted through growing up. Social interchange shapes this process, while conversely as the product of a particular society we in turn invoke change on the workings and dynamics of that environment.

The sculpture proposes growth, chance, and natural transformation. It shows how time and environment impact on and shape the physical body. Children by nature are adaptive to their surroundings. Their use within the work highlights the importance of creating a sustainable and well-managed environment, a space for future generations. Taylor notes that close to forty percent of coral reefs worldwide has been destroyed and that this figure is set to increase. His work reminds us that the marine environment is in a constant state of flux, and that this in turn reflects poignantly the vicissitudes, changing landscapes, of our own lives.

Un-Still Life mirrors the classical composition of traditional still life tableaux. On a table is an arrangement of cement objects, a vase, bowl and fruit. In contrast to established ideas of stasis the work is perpetually changing, remaining a work in progress as layers build on its surface.

This accumulated colonization of coral becomes a physical equivalent to conventional mark making of drawing and painting.

The work reflects the time-based observation associated with the classical study of still life composition. It reminds us that changes are inevitable.

The Lost Correspondent depicts a man sitting at a desk with a typewriter. The desk is covered with a collection of newspaper articles and cuttings that date back to the 1970s. Many of these have political significance, a number detail Grenada’s alignment with Cuba in the period immediately prior to the revolution.

The work informs the rapid changes in communication between generations. Taking the form of a traditional correspondent, the lone figure becomes little more than a relic, a fossil in a lost world.

Man on fire depicts a lone figure standing upright and defiant. The sculpture is installed 8m deep in the clear Caribbean waters surrounding the island of Isla Mujeres at a location named Manchones

.

The cement figure has 75 holes planted with live cuttings of fire coral (Millepora alcicorni ).This is a fast growing marine organism, yellow, orange and brown in colour which emits a painful stinging sensation when touched, thus reflecting its name and the title of the sculpture. It is anticipated that over time the figure will appear to be on fire underwater. The holes have been drilled on each profile of the body so that when the coral starts developing it will grow in pointed fingers resembling flames. Thus, when covered in coral and viewed from a distance there will appear the silhouette of a figure in flames. The fire coral has been sourced from fragments damaged by human activity or by tropical storms. A small proportion has also been artificially grown.

The statue, which weighs over 1 ton, is cast from a local Mexican fisherman called Joachim. The piece is intended to symbolize the current environmental situation in which we live. The man is on fire, burning but unaware of his situation, we too seem to be unaware of the impact that our actions are having on the planet on which we all live.

Our dependence on and over use of our limited natural resources, such as fossil fuels, has meant that we have been living on borrowed time. The fire is alight but we have the capabilities to control it, the current generation must rise to the challenge.

La Jardinera de la Esperanza, depicts a young girl lying on garden patio steps, cultivating a variety of plant pots. The sculpture is sited four metres beneath the surface Punta Nizuc, Cancun. The pots are propagated with live coral cuttings rescued from areas of the reef system damaged by storms and human activity. This technique, a well-established procedure in reef conservation, rescues damaged coral fragments by providing a suitable new substrate.

The sculpture, a synthesis between art and science, conveys a message of hope and prosperity, portraying human intervention as positive and regenerating. The young Girl symbolizes a new, revitalized kinship with the environment, a role model for future generations. The interaction between the inanimate and living forms highlights a potential symbiotic relationship with the life systems of the underwater world. Over the past few decades we have lost over 40% of our natural coral reefs. Scientists predict a permanent demise of 80% by 2050. The Gardner of Hope is designed to focus attention on this important, often forgotten, ecological issue.

Built into the base of the sculpture are specialized habitat spaces designed to encourage individual types of marine creatures such as moray eels, juvenile fish and lobsters.

The Archive of Lost Dreams depicts an underwater archive, maintained by a male registrar. The archive is a collection of hundreds of messages in bottles brought together by the natural forces of the ocean. The registrar is collating the individual bottles and categorizing the contents according to the nature of each message - fear, hope, loss, or belonging.

Various communities from a broad spectrum of ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds have been invited to provide the messages, which, it is hoped, will document current values and aspirations for future generations to discover.

The sculpture is placed within an area of the national marine park, which had been previously damaged, by hurricanes and tropical storms. The choice of location aims to draw the high number of visitors to the region away from other sections of pristine reef allowing them space to develop naturally.

Jason deCaires Taylor Biography

Jason
deCaires Taylor was born in 1974 to an English father and Guyanese mother,
spending the earlier part of his life growing up in Europe, Asia
and the Caribbean. Educated in South East England, he graduated in 1998
from Camberwell College of Arts, University of the Arts London, with
a B.A.Honours in Sculpture and Ceramics. He is also a fully qualified
diving instructor, underwater naturalist and award winning underwater
photographer, with over 14 years of diving experience in various
countries.

Mrs. D's books: 5 Star Readers’ Favorite

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Mrs.D's Published Books

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Who Let the Cookies Out? (Grandma's Cookies Stories)

Not your normal cookies!Who doesn‛t like cookies, especially cookies that willtake you on a tasty but nutty adventure?This delicious story begins in Grandma‛s kitchen when she decides to surprise her grandson‛s pre-K with holiday cookies. But little did she know what a mess her nutty cookies would create at her grandson‛s school. They just can‛t resist being nuts!This scrumptious tale proves the old saying that we‛re all made from the same “dough,” but a few “nuts” can spoil the batch.Brace yourself for a yummy book that will keep your giggles coming with every page you turn!

Baby from the Moon

A perfect book for bedtime snuggles! "Baby from the Moon" is a tale about a single wish - to find a mommy, whom Baby G saw many times in his dreams while living in the sky before his birth. It is a sweet story of the baby boy and his birth that celebrates life, joy, and encouragement, while satisfying the curiosity of young children how they came into this world. A touching journey of the tiny boy, who wants nothing more then to meet his mommy, this is a gentle introduction and inspiration for every child with dreams. A beautiful story and amazing artwork will keep children's imaginations flying from page to page filled with loving twists and turns. Children might discover something surprising about their birth and themselves. A fantastic gift for a new mommy and baby!

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FROM MRS.D.

Parents who want to make the most of storytelling activities with their children should focus on finding books and stories that have meaning and provide valuable lessons. Mrs.D.’s colorful and heartwarming children’s books will not only capture a child’s imagination but will also teach children the true meaning of friendship, family, love, and self-acceptance. They will give parents, grandparents, babysitters, and those who love to read an interesting way to spend time together. Mrs.D.Books blog is about the world of children’s books, self-publishing experiences, recommendations and helpful sites for authors, useful posts from a variety of sources about marketing tools, e-books, children’s apps, book trailers, book buzz, how to sell more books, interesting articles about children’s literature, lists of children’s books, news about children’s authors, art, photography, new discoveries, and more. Brace yourself for an unusual journey...Guest bloggers are welcome!

A Taste of Bread -PUBLISHED!

THAT IS HOW THINGS ARE - PUBLISHED!

(Two connected stories) “The Autumn Wind”—A moving story about the powerful wind and the peaceful garden, and how things change quickly when the callous autumn wind unleashes his power. “The Kitten and the Sparrow”—A heartwarming story about friendship between a kitten and a sparrow, and how the little kitten learns about the power of nature.

The Mysterious Life Inside a Closet - PUBLISHED!

Who made a mess in the closet? This enchanting story contains an amusing dialogue between the strange occupants of a closet and a curious kitten. Much to its surprise, the nosy kitten finds itself in the middle of a huge disagreement between the black broom and the other occupants of the closet. The blue sponge is sensitive, the purple duster is upset, the red vacuum cleaner is furious, and the black broom cannot rest until she discovers who made the mess. Sneak into a dark closet with a kitten and see who causes mayhem! Was it the silver bucket, the green dustpan, the lost slipper, the sleepy mop, or the old cat that made the mess? Read and reread this story until you find out! This entertaining story may start with a mess, but it ends with children laughing!

PUBLISHED!

These fun rhyming stories introduce young readers to delightful food characters with goofy personalities, real feelings, passions and fears, who always disagree with each other about who will feed a hungry little girl first.

PUBLISHED!

What's Going On Inside the Fridge? Story 2

PUBLISHED!

Who Is Most Important in the Fridge? Story 3

THE TREES HAVE HEARTS - MULTI AWARD WINNER!

Poignant and imaginative, this story will easily find a spot in the reader’s heart. The rich storytelling and unforgettable characters add flavor to an already delightful story line. This book opens a surprising imaginary world as seen through the eyes of a child…

GOOD MORNING, WORLD!-Honored for Excellence by the Mom's Choice and Readers' Favorite Awards

Glide gently into the beautiful morning with Baby Thomas and his grandpa. The sun is shining brightly through the wide window and the flowers, trees, birds, and other creatures have already started their day. Brilliant colors of the dawning day wake up the park, and Baby Thomas is ready for a walk. While walking in the park with his grandpa, they see the same things but from a different perspective. Baby Thomas wants to hug the wonderful world around him, but his grandpa has a different opinion. In this book, young readers will easily connect to the wonders of nature and unforgettable characters, playfully interacting with each other. Join happy Baby Thomas and his grandpa for a walk and have a delightful, uplifting morning!

READERS' FAVORITE and MOM'S CHOICE AWARD WINNER!

A Christmas story about sharing and giving. The old cat likes her settled life and is not happy about the new arrivals. She’s also very protective of her belongings. The city kittens annoy her, and the old cat grumbles about the new additions to the family—until she hears a story one night that makes her feel bad. The kittens aren’t the soft or spoiled brats she had thought they were …

An enlightening story about a little girl named Nika who didn’t want to take care of her clothes and toys. One hazy morning when Nika opened her closet, she discovered that it was empty. Her clothes had disappeared! What had happened to her shirts and pants? Where did her favorite dresses, coats, and socks go? Why did they leave her with just her pajamas on this misty morning? Will they come back? Taking a closer look at her room, Nika starts thinking about her attitude toward her clothes and toys. “How easy it is to lose something you love so much.” She learns an important lesson at the end of this story. Watch your children have a blast reading this story while learning valuable lessons.

The Royal Palm-Mom's Choice Awards and Readers' Favorite Winner

A thought-provoking tale of the journey of a royal palm born on a tiny island surrounded by mysterious waters. This tender story explores the world of someone wrapped up in herself. Protected by her cousins, the short plain palms, the royal palm grew up beautiful, but very self-centered. Dreaming about life outside the island, she did not bother with her friends, who lived as one big family. Immersed in her own beauty, she only cared for herself, until one day a hurricane struck the tiny island. Then the Royal Palm discovered the true meaning of family and real friendship. Inspiring story with valuable lessons to be learned and shared.

The Little Girl Praying on the Hill - Readers' Favorite International Gold Winner

"The Little Girl Praying on the Hill" is a bittersweet story based on the emotional childhood memories of a young girl determined to understand the purpose for her existence. Growing up in a poor village of the post-World War II era in a country where half the men drink themselves to death by the age of forty, the confused child questions God. The beauty of nature around her animates her and paints the perfect combination of colors, but life in her rundown village, sinking in mud after each rainfall, is a strong contrast. She exists between two worlds: her beautiful imagination and the harsh realities of life. The picture of majestic nature does not fit with the picture that God created for the people he loves. Why did he divide this world so unevenly? Why did he drop her in the wrong place? Her emotions rise to unreachable heights and sink to devastating lows. The gripping beauty of his creation mesmerizes her young mind, but only for a moment before her memories of specific events make her doubt God's intentions.

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CARLO THE MOUSE ON VACATION_NEW SERIES

Heading your way!A funny stories, full of the adventures and troubles of Carlo the mouse, who lives a simple life in a Florida hospital but always dreams of greater things. In these vibrant books, a daring mouse takes center stage in an adventure even bigger than his appetite...

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CARLO THE MOUSE,BOOK 1_PUBLISHED!

TOO MANY RULES FOR ONE LITTLE MOUSE! Grab your boots and hold on to your hat, because you are in for an exciting trip! The new series of Carlo the Mouse has been born. Too Many Rules for One Little Mouse is the first in a series of books on Carlo’s adventures. Each book will give readers an entertaining look into the life of a little mouse born inside a hospital’s walls. Clever, curious, and very impatient, Carlo the mouse dreams of the world outside the hospital. His parents teach him how to follow the rules and how to survive on his own, but Carlo’s insatiable desire for adventure constantly gets him in trouble. Will the little adventurer manage to survive when he leaves home? You’ll find out in Mrs. D.’s next books on Carlo the mouse. Let your imagination soar in this full series of Carlo’s adventures!

PUBLISHED!CARLO THE MOUSE,BOOK 2

NOW WE'RE TALKING! Listen to the news and keep your eyes open, because a curious little mouse has had his wish come true! Now We’re Talking! is the second in a series of books on Carlo’s adventures. This nosy little mouse leaves home for the first time to explore life inside the hospital. But Hospitalia is a strange place, and there’s no place for him to hide. Cold, sterile, and unfriendly, the hospital looks nothing like Carlo had imagined while sitting at home. Before he knows what’s up, the kitchen staff are on his tail. Will the hungry mouse manage to trick the hospital manager, cook, and exterminator without breaking the rules his parents taught him? You’ll find out in Mrs. D.’s next book on Carlo the Mouse, What’s Going On? If this clever mouse outwits you, don’t get discouraged. Keep reading and follow Carlo’s adventures!

CARLO THE MOUSE, BOOK 3_PUBLISHED!

WHAT'S GOING ON? Trouble! Where did that ravenous little mouse come from who’s disturbing the peace in the hospital? What’s Going On? is the third in a series of books on the adventures of Carlo the mouse. Carlo knew he was not supposed to go near the manager’s office, but when the kitchen staff were chasing him, he made a choice that started a war. This is only Carlo’s first time out, and already everyone is after him. Imagine what could happen when he learns his way around the hospital! He likes to eat, and is growing like a mushroom after the rain. Will this be the end of our curious little mouse, or will Carlo manage to outsmart the clever manager, angry cook, and sneaky exterminator so he can go home safely? You’ll find out in Mrs. D.’s next books on Carlo the mouse. Remember, Hospitalia is a strange place …

CARLO THE MOUSE, BOOK 4_PUBLISHED

RULES ARE FOR A REASON - More trouble for the Most Wanted Mouse! The hospital cook, manager, and exterminator have proclaimed war against the mice of the world! Rules Are for a Reason is the fourth in a series of books on Carlo the mouse. Always hungry, the curious little mouse snoops underneath each door, driving the hospital staff crazy. He’s constantly breaking the rules his parents taught him. One morning, Carlo wakes up sick. Horrified, he leaps from his bed and looks in the mirror—and finds he looks like a meatball! Fly disease? Mousesclerosis? Chickenpoxsclerosis? Sounds long! What sickness did the carefree mouse catch while exploring the hospital? Will Carlo turn into a chicken … or a frog … or maybe a prince? You’ll find out in the next book on Carlo’s adventures: Nothing Is Safe in a Mouse’s Life. If you want to know if Carlo will learn to follow the rules Papa Mouse and Mama Mouse taught him, you must read every day and follow your parents’ rules. More exciting adventures of Carlo the Mouse await you!

CARLO THE MOUSE,BOOK 5-PUBLISHED!

NOTHING IS SAFE IN A MOUSE'S LIFE - A whisker-licking story of one kind little mouse! Who would ever suspect that Carlo would meet Fidel the cat inside the hospital? Who would ever believe that the tricky young mouse would outsmart the old cat? Who would ever imagine that for the first time in his life, the daring mouse would venture away from his home and find himself outside the hospital? Homeless, cold, and hungry, Carlo and his family face attacks from vicious birds. Throughout his dangerous journey, Carlo finds adventure aplenty. He learns about life outside the hospital and the dangers that mice face on a daily basis. Determined to return home safely, Carlo has grown up and finally understands why he must obey the rules his parents taught him. Follow the unexpected adventures of this bold little mouse!

CARLO THE MOUSE,BOOK 6_PUBLISHED!

IT'S MY LIFE! Once a mouse falls in love, almost anything can happen! His heart skips a beat! He can’t eat, drink, or sleep! He is tossing in bed, losing rest and extra fat! He bleaches his brown hair and becomes a blond mouse! What is going on with Carlo? Papa Mouse is distressed. Is he getting a heart attack? Carlo looks like a bleached punk! Mama Mouse is in shock. Their little mouse has grown up, and he is in love with a cute mouse. He is getting married, dear friends! The young mouse gets his wish. He soon has a pretty wife and a bunch of kids, but he still dreams of seeing the world. Life is short, and a day can hold many adventures. Sliding off a roof, Carlo falls inside an open car trunk … Kick off your boots, hold your hats, and enjoy these books, my little friends! More books on Carlo the mouse are coming in the near future.